Chassis structure



July 7, 1936.

CHASSIS STRUCTURE Original/ Filed July 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

July 7, 1936. (H.J.DI LLON- 2,047,011

cHAssIs' STRUCTURE Original FiledJ uly 24, ess 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE NiI'OR. 3/7 7 la fomn.

Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHASSIS STRUCTURE Hugh Joseph Dillon, Highland Park, Mich.

Original application July 24, 1933, Serial No. 681,851. Divided and this application January 12, 1934, Serial No. 706,333

14 Claims.

a chassis structure having a main supporting frame member extending longitudinally and at the approximate longitudinal center of the ve- 1o hicle; second, toprovide a chassis structure having axle units in which a main frame member is provided with transversely extending members located approximately at the load application point of the pair of axle units; third, to 1.5 provide a chassis structure for a vehicle having a single main longitudinal member; fourth, to

provide a chassis structure for a vehicle having a pair of power units, said chassis having a main supporting member between the pair of units to- 20 gether with a transversely extending cross member for supporting the rear ends of the pair of power units, the forward central ends of the power units being supported directly from the main supporting frame member; fifth, to provide a chassis structure for a vehicle having an engine' and fender members supported directly on a frame member extending transversely to a single main frame member of the chassis structure; sixth, to provide a chassis structure hav- 30 ing a bumper member supported on a main frame member and braced by a resilient mechanism; seventh, to provide a chassis structure for a vehicle, said chassis structure being provided with adjustment means to provide different vehicle wheel bases; and eighth, to' provide a chassis structure having a main frame member with a steering gear member mounted thereon.

This patent application is a divisional application of my present application, Serial No. to 681,851, filed July 24th, 1933 for improvements in a Vehicle.

I attain these objects by mechanism illustrated in the'accompanying drawings, in whlch- Figure l is a partial plan view ofthe front 45 end of a vehicle incorporating my chassis structure; Fig. 2, a partial plan view of the rear end of a vehicle incorporating my chassis structure;

Fig. 3, a partial side view of thevehicle as disclosed in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the 50 frame assembly of the chassis structure; Fig. 5,

a sectional view of a fabricated main frame member of the chassis structure; Fig. 6, a side and partial sectional view of one of the brace units connecting the front bumper with the 55 front frame cross member; Fig. 7, a vertical sectional view of a chassis structure taken on a vertical line lll Fig. 1 approximately at the rear of the pair of engine assemblies of the vehicle; Fig. 8, a vertical sectional view through the main frame member together with its supporting mechanism for the front of the pair of engine assemblies on the line 8-8, Fig. 1; Fig. 9, a. vertical sectional view of the bumper and frame construction taken on the line Q-t, Fig. l; Fig. 10, a side elevation disclosing a steerl ing gear supported on the main frame member of the chassis structure; and Fig. 11,. a sectional view of the steering axle assembly taken on the line Ill-t ll, Fig. 7.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts it throughout the several views.

The frame assembly A of the chassis structure is located so that the .main. framexmember l extends longitudinally along the center or approximate longitudinal center of the vehicle and i may be constructed of rolled channel I beam construction as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and t with a main vertical web 2 and the integrali flanges t and t extending transversely therefrom at the top and bottom of the main frame at member I, or if desired the frame member i may be fabricated from a single vertical plate or member and the angle members ti secured thereto, as by welding or other similar or suitable means, to form a fabricated I beam section memberassembly B of the desired strength and rigidity, as disclosed in Fig. 5.

It is to be noted that the web 2 together with the flange t may be formed and arrangedto provide'the frame member i with a tapered section, as disclosed for instance at l, Figs. 3 and a to form a main frame member t of the desired strength,

the mass ofmaterial' being thus distributed and located to provide.v the greatest strength at the point or points of maximum stress.

The frame assembly A is provided with the rear cross member't which may also be provided with the vertical web 9 andthe flanges ill and it extending therefrom and may be secured to the flange t of the frame member II by welding, riveting, or other suitable or similar means, or by bolting as hereinafter disclosed, the rear cross mem-,- ber 8 being preferably located directly above the center of the rear axle assemblies C and D of the vehicle. The front cross member it may also be 59 provided with the vertical web it and the upper and lower flanges it and t5 extending therefrom and may be secured to the flange 3 of the frame member I by welding, rlveting, or other suitable or similar means, the front cross member 12 being preferably located directly overthe center of the front axle assembly E. The front axle assembly E and the rear axle assemblies C and D are incorporated in the drawings to disclose sufficient of the vehicle structure to explain the use of my chassis structure. The front cross member I2 may extend outwardly from the main frame member I sufficiently to extend to approximately the outside portions of a cab and body structure which may be installed on the frame assembly A. Also if desired, the front and rear cross members I2 and 8 may be provided with a tapered section, as disclosed relative to the main frame I, with its minimum normal section at their outer extremities and having an increased section as it progresses toward the main frame member I to provide proper distribution of the material to provide in turn the greatest strength at points of maximum stresses.

Also the lower flange I5 of the frame cross member I2 is provided with curved, radial, spherical, or depressed surfaces I6 and II for receiving and engaging similar surfaces on the housings l8 and I9 of the engine assemblies F and G as hereinafter disclosed.

Also the frame cross member I2 may be further provided with the curved, radial, spherical or depressed surfaces 20 and 2| for receiving and engaging the fenders 22 and 23 which may be secured thereto by the bolts 24 and the nuts 25 or by other or similar means.

It is to be noted that with the location of the front cross member I2 and the rear cross member 8 located directly over the load centers of the axle units, themain frame member I will be relieved of its stresses and will be approximately uniformly loaded due to the distribution of the load thereon. This may be further accomplished by making the side members of the body unit, to be installed on the frame assembly A with suitable sections and sizes to carry the load in the body unit with approximately no deflection therein to reinforce and stiffen the frame assembly A when the body unit is secured thereto and to impose the body load directly on to the frame cross members I2 and 8.

The main frame member i may be tapered on its upper side as at 259 to provide a better and' more economical distribution of material to withstand load stresses, in a manner similar to the tapered portion 7 at the rear of the frame member 8 and also to permit the frame member I to blend into and conform with the desired size of the bumper member 26 with which the frame assembly A is provided, the bumper member 26 being suitably secured to the front portion of the frame member I, said bumper member 26 being provided with the angularly positioned or rearwardly inclined portions 28 which may be so located as to conform with the shape or outline of the cab unit as desired.

The rearwardly inclined portions 28 of the bumper 26 are connected at their rear extremities with the members 29 and 30 which extend to and are suitably connected with the frame cross member I as by welding or other suitable means. The frame assembly A may be further provided with the members 3| and 32 which extend rearwardly from the members 29 and 30 and diagonally with the frame member I, the members 3| and 32 being suitably connected with the members 29 and 30 and the fiame member by welding or other suitable mea s. a

'lhehgu sings I 8 and I 9 of the engine assemblies F and G are provided with curved, spherical, or

radial surfaces on the bell housings 33 and 34 which engage and fit with the similar surfaces I6 and I! of the frame cross member I2 and are supported therein by the irmer brackets 35 which are suitably secured by the rivets 36 or by welding or similar means to the web 2 of the main frame member I, said inner brackets 35 being further secured to the inner supporting arms or portions 31 of the engine or bell housings 33 and 34, by the bolts or screws 38.

The housings I8 and I9 of the engine assemblies F and G are further supported in the curved surfaces I6 and I! of the front cross member I2 by the outer support brackets 39 which may be secured to the lower flange I5 of the front cross member I2 by the bolts or screws 49, the outer support brackets 39 being further secured to the outer supporting arms or portions M of the engine of bell housings 33 and 34 by the bolts or screws 42. It is to be noted that the engine assemblies F and G are thus each mounted on outer sides of the main or central frame member I and each of said engine assemblies F and G are rendered readily removable from their mountings without lifting over the usual side rails of a conventional frame assembly in which a pair of side rails are located at the extreme outer sides of a frame assembly, the removal of the bolts 38 and 42 together with the bolts 40 permitting the ready removal of the outer support brackets 39 and the engine assemblies F and G.

The engine assemblies F and G are further supported at their front portions by the bracket member 43, which, if desired, may be constructed in one piece and straddle mounted over the main frame member I as disclosed in Fig. 8, the bracket member 43 being suitably secured, as by welding or other suitable or similar means, to the flange 3, the bracket member 43 being provided with the downwardly extending portions 44 which are in turn provided with the portions 45 which may extend under the crankshaft extension 46, which is suitably supported and operatively mounted in the structure of the engine assemblies F and G, to support the blocks or members H, which may be constructed of resilient material, such as rubber composition or similar material, the blocks 41 engaging the lugs 48 which may be formed integrally with or suitably attached to the forward portions of the housing structure of the engine assemblies F and G, the portions 45, the blocks 41 and the lugs 48 being secured together by the bolts 49 and the nuts 50, which when removed permit the front portions of the engine assemblies F and G to be readily removed from their supported positions in a similar manner as above described relative to the rear support mechanism of the engine assemblies F and G. If desired, the brackets 52 may be used to support the portions 45 of the brackets 43, the brackets 52 being provided with the flange portions 53 for attaching to the web 2, by means of bolts and nuts as disclosed or by welding or other suitable means, the bracket 52 being further pro ided with the portions 54 for connecting to the portions 45 of the brackets 43, the portions 54 being secured by welding or other suitable means to the portions 45, the bolts 49 being adapted to further extend through the portions 54.

It is to be noted that the engine assemblies F F and G, by the above described mechanism, will be supported in angular positions relative to one another and to the main frame member I, the engine assemblies F and G being herein disclosed as having their cylinder portions 55 supported approximately at an angle of thirty-five degrees from a vertical line, the angle of inclination of the engine assemblies F and G being varied to suit various engines and vehicles.

It is to be noted that the above disclosed angular positions of the engine assemblies F and G will provide suflicient room or passage therebetween to permit the operator or driver of the vehicle to enter and pass, between the engine assemblies F and G, when a cab member is mounted directly overthe engine assemblies F and G and provided with a door at its front end, such a cab enclosure and. unit beingdisclosed and claimed in my patent application, Serial No. 681,850, filed July 24, 1933, now Patent No. 1,995,- 501 dated March 26, 1935 for a Vehicle cab.

In order to facilitate the above described entrance of the operator to the space between the engine asemblies F and G of a vehicle, the bumper member 26 is provided with an opening 56 to provide a step for the operator, this construction being more fully disclosed in Fig. 9, the web 2 of the frame cross member I being cut away at 51 to provide suflicient room for, the insertion of the operator's foot within and through the opening 56, the upper flange 3 of the frame member I being suitably formed to extend within and adjacent the upper flange 58 of the bumper member 26, the lower flange 59 of the bumper member 29 and the lower flange 4 of the frame member I being suitably connected by the plate or gusset member 60 which may be secured by welding or other suitable means.

The front axle assembly E herein disclosed is of the type disclosed and claimed in my application Serial No. 681,849, filed July 24, 1933, now Patent No. 1,995,500, dated March 26, 1935 for Spring and axle construction for vehicles, and as similarly disclosed therein, comprises a pair of axle beam members Iil and I3 connected at their ends by the bracket members 63 on which are pivotally supported the spindle-members 64 which operatively support the wheel assemblies I and J which are provided with the front wheels 95 and the brake drums 61.

The front spring 52 is located between the axle beam members BI and 13 and extends transversely to the'main frame member I and is connected to the bracket members 63 by the shackles 66.

The front spring 52 is connected at the spring seat 58 by the spring clips'69 and the spring seat 68 is pivotally mounted on the pin I which is suitably seiured in the bracket II which is suitably secured to the lower flange 4 of the main frame member I.

The torque member 12 is provided with the upper and lower flange portions 14 which straddle and extend above and below the axle beam members 6| and 13, as disclosed in Fig. 7, the upper and lower frame portions I4 of the torque member 12 being secured to the axle beam members and 13 by the bolts 15 and the nuts I6, the torque member 12 having diagonal portions, as disclosed in Fig. 1, which may be suitably secured at their rear ends to the main frame member I.

The above described axleassembly E is disclosed and described herewith sufficiently to indicate the front end construction of the vehicle as it relates to assembly and securement with members 29 and 30 by the bolts 84 and nuts 92 or other suitable or similar means, the brackets 83 being provided with the extension members 85 which extend within the tubular members 85 which are provided with the brackets Bl which in turn are secured to the web I3 of the front cross member I2 by the bolts 88 and nuts 9i or other suitable or similar means, the extension members 05 being provided with the ends 93 which are slidably mounted in the bores 89 of the tubular members 86 and engage the springs 90 which are mounted in the bores 89 in such manner to provide a resilient cushion to absorb thrust reactions of the members 29 and 30 when flexed by a thrust on the bumper member 26, thus allowing for a certain amount of flexibility in the frame assembly A when the bumper member 26 is collided with, thus confining the results of a collision to the front portions of the vehicle. The open end of the bores 89 of the tubular members-86 are closed by the cap members 80 through which extend the extension members 85, the cap members 80 being secured to the tubular members 05 as by threading or other suitable or similar means.

The driving axle assemblies C and D are connected by the rear springs HI and I22 which are suitably secured to the brackets I23 by the spring clips IN, the spacer members I25 and the nuts I26, the brackets I23 being pivotally mounted on the shafts I2'I which are suitably secured in the brackets I28 which are in turn suitably secured to the rear frame cross member 9.

The rear springs I2I and I22 are pivotally connected to the brackets I29 and I30 by means of the pins I3I which are suitably secured in the brackets I29 and I30, the brackets I29 and I3!) being suitably secured together with the driving axles C and D. The rear frame cross member 8 may be braced .by the diagonal frame members I32 which'may be secured at their outer ends to three point suspension for the frame assembly A, the forward part of the frame assembly A being mounted above the center of thefront spring 62 whereas the rear portion of the frame assembly A will be mounted above the spring members I2I and I22, thus providing a main load carrying member which is suspended below the frame members, which are operatively connected by the wheel members. I

The use of commercial vehicles requires a great variation in the length of wheel bases and to ermit my vehicle design to be readily and adjust-' ably adapted to different lengths of wheel bases, the main frame member I maybe provided with a series of holes I31 to permit the rear frame cross member 8 to be secured to the main frame member I by the bolts I4I, the main frame member I being further provided with a series of holes I39 to permit the members I32 to be secured thereto by the bolts I40.

The manufacturer of the vehicle may thus ship the vehicle to dealers with the frame members B and I 32 bolted, or secured by similar means,

and if the vehicle is not thus provided with the proper wheel base for the particular requirements for which the dealers eventually sell the truck, the dealers may move the rear frame cross member, together with the members I32, to the proper location, as indicated by the series of holes I31 and I39, to meet the necessary wheel base requirements at which time the dealers may, if desired further secure the frame members 8 and I32 in position by permanent means, such as rivets, welding or similar means.

The series of holes I 31 and I 39 will usually be spaced in distances of six or twelve inches which correspond to the amount of variation usually found in wheel base lengths. It is thus to be noted that I have provided means whereby vehicle wheel bases may be varied by economical adjustment means to meet additional wheel base requirements by the ultimate purchaser, the proper length of propeller shafts being readily assembled in their operative positions in the vehicle to meet the requirements of the adjusted wheel bases.

The steering gear assembly V as disclosed in Figure 10 will be provided with a housing I10 which will be provided with the flange III which may be suitably secured to the web 2 of the main frame member I by the bolts I13. The steering gear assembly V is provided with the con- Ventional worm I14 and sector or lever member I15 which operates the chuck or cross shaft I16 and oscillates the steering arm I'II to actuate the steering drag link I18 which is suitably connested to the steering arm I19 of the front axle assembly E. I

The steering gear assembly V is further provided with column I which is suitably connected to the steering wheel I8I. It is to be noted that the steering gear assembly V may be mounted adjacent and on the main frame member I, thus providing a more secure, substantial and convenient mounting for the steering gearassembly V.

The propeller shaft assemblies R and T may be operatively connected with rear driving axle assemblies C and\D and with the engine assemblies F and G.

The driving axle assemblies C and D will be provided with differential driving assemblies within the differential housings H5 and I I6, said differential driving assemblies being operatively connected to the propeller shaft assemblies R and T and with the wheel assemblies U which are provided with the brake mechanisms II8.

I claim:

1. In. a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising a front and a pair of rear driving axle assemblies eachprovided with wheel assemblies, the combination of a main frame member extending longitudinally at the longitudinal center of the vehicle, and a pair of cross members extending above and transversely relative to said main frame member, one of cross members extendingover the front axle assembly, the other of said cross members extending longitudinally substantially equal distant from and between each of said pair of rear driving axle assemblies, each of said cross members extending outwardly to a vertical plane extending through the wheel assemblies of said axle assemblies.

2. In achassis structure for a vehicle comprising a pair of rear driving axles together with a front steering axle the combination of a main frame member extending longitudinally at the member structure extending transversely relative to said main frame member at the forward end of said main frame member, said last mentioned cross member structure having rearwardly inclined portions at its outer extremities.

3. In a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising a pair of driving axles each having driving wheels together with resilient members supported on and connecting the pair of driving axles, the combination of a. frame cross member sup ported on the upper side of and substantially at v the central portion of said resilientmembers, said frame cross member extending beyond said resilient members to substantially the outer extended sides of the driving wheels of said pair of driving axles, said frame cross member extending longitudinally between said pair of drivthe vehicle, a bumper member suitably supported by and adjacent the front end of said main frame member, a frame cross member mounted on said main frame member and extending on both sides of said main frame member, and a pair of resiliently actuated brace members connected between the outer end portions of said bumper and said frame cross members, said pair of resiliently actuated brace members together with said bumper and said frame cross members forming substantially rectangular shaped openings adjacent each side of said main frame member, when the chassis structure is viewed from a position thereabove, for containing the pair of engines.

5. In a chassis structure for a vehicle provided with a steering axle together with a pair of driving axles, the combination of a frame assembly comprising a main frame member extending longitudinally at the longitudinal center of the vehicle together with a frame cross member mounted on said main frame member and extending across the vehicle substantially parallel with and above the steering axle, said frame assembly further comprising a second frame cross member mounted on and above said main frame member and extending across the vehicle between the pair of driving axles, means resiliently supporting said frame assembly on the steering axle, said means being connected to the steering axle and to the under side of said main frame member, and a second means resiliently supporting said frame assembly on the pair of driving axles, said second means extending under and being connected to said second mentioned frame cross member and to the pair of driving axles.

6. In a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising axles together with a. pair of engine assemblies operatively connected therewith, the combination of a frame assembly comprising a main frame member supported by said axles, a sole F frame cross member mounted on said main frame member for supporting the rear portions of said pair of engine assemblies, said sole frame cross member extending on opposite sides of said main frame member, means for suspending the rear portions of said pair of engine assemblies from 'said sole frame cross member at opposite sides of said main frame member, and a second means comprising a sole member mounted on said main frame member for supporting the front portions of said pair of engine assemblies, said sole member of said second means extending over said ing axles, the combination of a main frame member extending longitudinally at the longitudinal center of the vehicle, a frame cross member supported by and extending transversely to said main frame member, said frame cross member being located substantially centrally between the pair of driving axles, a second frame cross member supported by and extending transversely to said main frame member, said second frame crcss member being located substantially above the longitudinal center of the steering axle, a bumper. structure supported by and extending transversely to said main frame member at its forward end, said bumper structure being provided with rearwardly inclined portions at its foward sides, and members connected with said bumper structure, adjacent its rearwardly inclined portions, and to said second frame cross member, said last mentioned members tending to transfer shock loads imposed on the ends of said bumper structure to said second frame cross member and thus to said main frame member.

8. In a chassis structure foravehicle, the combination of bumper member provided with an opening for receiving the foot of the operator of the vehicle to enable the operator to mount to a position above said bumper member, and a frame member suitably connected with and supporting said bumper member, said frame member having a portion of itself removed at a point adjacent the opening of said bumper member to provide clearance for the foot of the operator.

.faces on opposite sides of and adjacent said semblies in the depressed surfaces of said frame cross member and adjacent said main frame member, and means for supporting the fenders of the vehicle in the depressed surfaces of said frame cross member and adjacent the wheelassemblies of the vehicle.

10. In a chassiszstructure for a vehicle comprising a pair of engine assemblies, the combination of a main frame member extending between the pair of engine assemblies, a frame cross member supported" on said main frame member adjacent the rear of the pair of engine assemblies, bracket members mounted on opposite sides of said main frame member and each connected with inner portions of one of the pair of engine assemblies, bracket members supported on and extending below'said frame cross member at opposite sides of said main frame member, said last mentioned bracket members being each connected with outer portions of one of the pair of engine assemblies, said first mentioned and said second mentioned bracket members supporting the pair of engine assemblies against said frame cross member, and inclined supporting members suitably mounted on said main frame member and extending on opposite sides thereof, said inclined supporting members being connected with the central portions of the front ends of the pair of engine assemblies.

11. In a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising a pair of engine assemblies, the combina tion of a main frame member extending between the pair of engine assemblies, a frame cross member supported on and extending on opposite sides of said main frame member and adjacent the rear ends of the pair of engine assemblies, means for supporting the rear of the engine assemblies below said frame cross member, a member supported on said main frame member and extending on opposite sides of said main frame member adjacent the centers of the front ends of each of the pair of engine assemblies, said last menticned member having inclined portions adjacent each of the centers of the engine assemblies, members suitably mounted on the inclined portions of said member adjacent the centers of each of the pair of engine assemblies, said last mentioned members being connected with the central portions of the pair of engine assemblies, and members suitably mounted on said main frame member and connected with the inclined portions of said member supported on said main frame member and extending on opposite sides thereof adjacent the centers of the front ends of the pair of engine assemblies.

12. In a chassis structure for a vehicle, the combination of a main frame member extending longitudinally substantially at the longitudinal center of the vehicle, a frame cross member supported on and extending on opposite sides of said main frame member, a bumper member supported on and extending on opposite sides and adjacent the front end of said main frame member, said bumper member having rearwardly inclined portions at its ends, frame members connecting the rearwardly inclined portions at the ends of said bumper member with said main frame member, angularly positioned members extending between and connecting said main frame member with said frame members connecting the rearwardly inclined portions, at the ends of said bumper member, with said main frame member, and resiliently actuated members extending on opposite sides of said main frame member, said resiliently actuated members connecting said bumper member and said frame cross member.

13. In a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising a pair of engines each having curved surfaces, the combination of a main frame member extending longitudinally between the pair of. engines, and a sole frame cross member ex tending transversely on said main frame member and provided with curved surfaces located on each side of said main frame member and conforming to and engaging the curved surfaces of the engines to provide means for locating said engines transversely relative to said main frame member, said sole frame cross member having a horizontally extending flange at its lowermost side and extending across'said main frame member, said curved surfaces being formed in said horizontally extending flange of said sole frame cross member.

14. In a chassis structure for a vehicle comprising power developing means together with wheel assemblies and fenders therefor, the combination of a sole main frame member, a frame cross member supported on said sole main frame member, said frame cross member being provided with curved surfaces on its lowermost side and adjacent the wheel assemblies, means for supporting the power developing means on said frame cross member adjacent said sole main frame member, and means for supporting the upper surfaces of the fenders against the curved surfaces of said frame cross member.

HUGH JOSEPH DILLON. 

